Foster diagnosed with bone bruise

Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer revealed that starting tailback Arian Foster has been diagnosed with a bone bruise following an MRI this week.

The bruise is thought to be the cause of persistent soreness in the senior's right knee that caused him to miss a handful of practices.

Fulmer said sidelining Foster was only precautionary and the ailment shouldn't limit him any further in fall camp.

"It doesn't look like anything else; that's good," Fulmer said.

Foster didn't practice Tuesday morning but returned for the afternoon session as the Vols held their first two-a-day practice of fall camp. Foster practiced for eight or nine periods during the afternoon session, Fulmer said.

"In football, you get banged up but you've got to come back out there and play," Foster said.

Fulmer said he'd like to get Foster some more full-contact work before the end of preseason camp. UT opens the season Sept. 1 at UCLA.

Foster participated in UT's first full-contact scrimmage of camp on Aug. 6.

"I'd like him to get some live snaps either Saturday or next Thursday," Fulmer said, referring to UT's next two scheduled scrimmages.

Foster agreed that the work is needed.

"Everybody needs a little contact work," said Foster, who was wearing a long protective sleeve on his right leg during the morning practice.

Moving Men: If you consider his movement on the depth chart, Rod Wilks may be the fastest receiver ever at UT.

Wilks' most recent move was from safety to strongside linebacker, just days after he was moved from receiver to safety.

"Rod's so blessed he could play a lot of places," Fulmer said.

Wilks wasn't the only in-state prospect from the 2008 class to switch positions Tuesday. Fellow freshman Ben Bartholomew moved from linebacker to tight end/H-back.

"Both of them looked pretty good out there this morning," Fulmer said.

Whatever position Wilks ends up playing, it seems unlikely he'll redshirt this season.

"He's a good athlete and we think he could help us - at least on special teams," Fulmer said.

Tight Ends' Tough Start: The Vols' tight ends corps is looking more depleted than deep.

Following a return to action early in preseason practice, Jeff Cottam found himself sidelined for several days as he overcomes a leg fracture that has been slow to heal.

Fulmer said he's not sure when Cottam will return, but hinted that the senior might not be ready for the season opener.

"We've got a plan to go on and not have him early," Fulmer said.

As for sophomore Brandon Warren, Fulmer had no update on his appeal to the SEC and NCAA to play this season.

Freshman tight end Aaron Douglas' contact was limited again as soreness set in on his surgically repaired shoulder. Fulmer said the former Maryville star should be fine and is close to full contact.

"If he has a good week, he'll be turned loose Saturday or Monday," Fulmer said.

Linebacker Lingo: Moving Wilks to strongside linebacker had nothing to do with the play of seniors Nevin McKenzie and Adam Myers-White.

"It's a good position of competition," Fulmer said. "I do want a young guy coming - if we can get that."

Fulmer said freshman Herman Lathers has shown flashes at strongside 'backer. Fulmer said he also was pleased with the improvement of redshirt freshman Chris Donald, mostly at middle linebacker.

Junior college transfer Gerald Williams has seen most of his practice time this fall at middle linebacker but also has practiced at weakside.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!